WITHIN a matter of weeks since little Glencraig boy Bradley McAleese was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, the Benarty community is rallying around the youngster.

Diabetes is hard enough condition for an adult to manage, but it can be confusing and alarming for a child.

There is what is known as a CGM machine, which can help to alert him to a hypo, which is a dramatic drop in the sugar level in his blood, and in the process giving him more freedom, but this is not funded by the NHS.

The machine costs £600 and his family started to organise a sponsored walk to be able to purchase one for Bradley and they have been overwhelmed by the number of people wanting to get involved in the walk over the Forth Road Bridge on the afternoon of Wednesday June 7.

Said Bradley's mum Marion: "It was a bit of a shock for us all when Bradley was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

"However, we were soon able to get information about the condition and were told about how this CGM machine can give a child a completely normal life."

Any diabetic needs to keep close watch on their blood-sugar levels to ensure that it gets neither too high or too low and ensure that the appropriate amount of insulin is injected after eating food.

Added Marion: "This machine can also link up with an insulin pump which can ensure that Bradley's levels will be kept appropriate without him having to take four blood tests a day or five injections.

"The sponsored walk is to have a Super Hero theme so we are expecting some interesting sights especially as Bradley's Street Dancing school colleagues along with his Benarty Primary classmates are going to take part.

"The community has really rallied around superbly and on behalf of Bradley I would like to thank everyone who has got involved."